Skylights are such a double-edged sword, aren’t they? I’ve had a few jobs where folks skipped the low-e glass and regretted it once the attic turned into a sauna mid-July. Blackout shades are a lifesaver up there. For insulation, I’ve found closed-cell spray foam works wonders if you’re willing to shell out for it—makes a world of difference in those old drafty spaces. As for garages, tried radiant heat once for a client who wanted to turn their garage into a guest suite. It was pricey but honestly, their toes were never cold again... so maybe worth it if you really want that comfort. Each space has its quirks, but there’s something satisfying about making them truly livable.
Attic conversions always sound great in theory, but I keep getting hung up on the cost vs. comfort thing.
That’s what worries me—how much do you really have to spend before it stops feeling like a compromise? I looked into spray foam for our attic and the quotes were kind of eye-watering. Did you notice a big difference in your energy bills after doing it, or was it more about comfort?“closed-cell spray foam works wonders if you’re willing to shell out for it—makes a world of difference in those old drafty spaces.”
And with garages, I’ve always wondered about the heating side. Radiant heat sounds amazing, but is it overkill if you’re just using the space as a spare bedroom a few times a year? I’d love to make our garage more usable, but I’m not sure if the investment would ever pay off. Anyone ever try cheaper options, like portable heaters or just beefing up the insulation? Or does that just end up being a waste in the long run?
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from on the spray foam. We did it in our attic and yeah, the upfront cost stung, but it made a huge difference in comfort—no more freezing winters or roasting summers up there. Energy bills dropped a bit, but for us it was more about actually wanting to use the space. For garages, I’d say insulation plus a decent portable heater works fine if you’re not using it all the time. Radiant heat seems like overkill unless it’s a daily thing. Just my two cents.
That’s a great point about comfort being the real win. I’ve seen so many attic conversions where the insulation made all the difference—suddenly it’s a cozy nook instead of a forgotten storage zone. The upfront cost can be tough to swallow, but if you’re actually planning to use the space for living or sleeping, it’s usually worth it. I do think radiant heat is a bit much unless you’re in there every day, but good insulation plus a portable heater can go a long way. Sometimes just making the space inviting is half the battle...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d actually push back a bit on the portable heater idea. In my experience, those things can be a pain—uneven heat, tripping breakers, and sometimes just not cutting it in winter. If you’re already investing in insulation, running a couple baseboard heaters (hardwired) isn’t that much more work and gives way more consistent comfort. Just my two cents after a few cold attic projects...
